Things that can increase unhealthy cholesterol levels
As opposed to what most people believe, cholesterol is not exactly bad. In fact, it is a necessary substance to build healthy cells in the body. There are two types of cholesterol. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol.
LDL or "bad" cholesterol makes up most of your body's cholesterol, whereas HDL or “good” cholesterol absorbs cholesterol in the blood and carries it back to the liver, explains the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While high levels of LDL cholesterol raise your risk for heart disease and stroke, HDL cholesterol can lower your risk for the same.
That said, it is important you keep your LDL cholesterol levels in check. Here are the things that you should watch out for.
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Eating a diet high in saturated, trans fat
High cholesterol occurs when there is too much fatty substance called cholesterol in your blood. According to the UK National Health Services (NHS), it is mainly caused by eating fatty food, not exercising enough, being overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol. A diet high in saturated fat, trans fat, and/or refined sugars can significantly raise your LDL cholesterol levels, while increasing your risk for heart diseases.
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Certain medications
There are certain medicines that can also increase your LDL cholesterol levels. These include medications like thiazide diuretics, estrogen and progesterone, atypical antipsychotics, beta-blockers, and certain HIV medicines, as reported by VeryWell Health.
Unhealthy habits can increase your 'bad' cholesterol levels
When it comes to regulating your cholesterol levels, you must limit certain unhealthy habits. As per the CDC, one must quit smoking, avoid alcohol consumption, increase regular physical activities and also maintain a healthy weight. Failure to keep up can put one at risk of increasing unhealthy cholesterol levels.
Watch out for THESE medical conditions; keep them in control
Apart from lifestyle factors like smoking, an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise, an underlying condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes can also contribute to high blood cholesterol levels. Other medical conditions that can add to the complications include obesity, kidney disease and hypothyroidism.
Having a family history of high cholesterol
According to the CDC, high cholesterol can run in families.
"Some people have an inherited genetic condition called FH. This condition causes very high low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol levels beginning at a young age that, left untreated, continue to worsen with age," explains the US health agency.
The step forward is to talk to your doctor and get regular tests to keep your cholesterol levels in check.
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